1861: London's first tram cars began operating, designed by a Mr Train from New York.
1891: Goal nets, the invention of JA Brodie of Liverpool, were used for the first time in an FA Cup Final.
1919: Italy's Fascist Party was founded by Benito Mussolini.
1921: Donald Campbell, who emulated his father, Sir Malcolm, by breaking land and water-speed records, was born in Horley, Surrey.
1923: The BBC began broadcasting SOS messages to people who were away from home and needed to be contacted urgently.
1971: Bangladesh, formerly East Pakistan, proclaimed its independence.
1991: In a speech to Conservatives at Southport, John Major outlined plans for his Citizen's Charter.
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